You know that feeling when someone's about to take a big exam, go on a first date, or start a new job? In English, we automatically say "good luck!" without thinking twice. The same instinct exists in French.
In this post, you'll learn nine different ways to say good luck in French, from the classic phrases everyone should know to the casual expressions that'll make you sound like a local. Plus, we'll dive into some typical French beliefs about luck—because yes, the French have their own superstitions and traditions around fortune that might surprise you.
Ready to level up your French and learn how to wish people well like a native? Let's get started.
- Date And Time In French: A Guide For Beginners
- What In French: 8 Ways To Say "What" Naturally
- How Long Does It Take To Learn French? Stats And Tips
How To Say Good Luck In French
Bonne chance
This is your go-to, all-purpose way to say "good luck" in French. "Bonne" means "good" and "chance" means "luck" or "chance"—so it's a direct translation that works in almost any situation. You can use this whether someone's taking a test, going to a job interview, or trying something new.
- Bonne chance pour ton examen demain! - Good luck on your exam tomorrow!
- Je te souhaite bonne chance avec ton nouvel emploi. - I wish you good luck with your new job.
When you want to be more specific about what you’re wishing someone luck for, you add "pour" (for) after "bonne chance." This construction lets you directly reference the event or challenge ahead, making your well-wishes feel more personal and thoughtful.
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Bonne chance pour ton entretien | Good luck for your interview |
| Bonne chance pour ta présentation | Good luck for your presentation |
| Bonne chance pour le match | Good luck for the match |
| Bonne chance pour ta nouvelle aventure | Good luck for your new adventure |
| Bonne chance pour ton voyage | Good luck for your trip |
| Bonne chance pour tout | Good luck with everything |
While "pour" focuses on a specific event or moment, "avec" (with) is used when you're wishing someone luck with an ongoing situation, a person, or a thing they'll be dealing with. It's more about the experience or relationship rather than a one-time event.
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Bonne chance avec ton nouveau projet | Good luck with your new project |
| Bonne chance avec ton déménagement | Good luck with your move |
| Bonne chance avec ton patron | Good luck with your boss |
| Bonne chance avec tes études | Good luck with your studies |
| Bonne chance avec ta recherche d'appartement | Good luck with your apartment search |
| Bonne chance avec tout ça | Good luck with all that |
Je te dis merde
This literally translates to "I'm telling you shit," which sounds absolutely wild if you don't know the context. But in French theater culture, saying "merde" before a performance is the traditional way to wish someone good luck—similar to saying "break a leg" in English.
- Merde pour ta pièce de théâtre ce soir! - Break a leg for your play tonight!
- Je te dis merde pour ton audition demain. - I'm wishing you luck (break a leg) for your audition tomorrow.
Bon courage
This translates to "good courage" and is about wishing someone strength and perseverance through a difficult or challenging situation. "Bon" means "good" and "courage" means "courage" or "strength." Use this when someone's facing something tough, tiring, or stressful where they'll need endurance more than fortune.
Example sentences:
- Bon courage pour ta journée de travail! - Good luck/hang in there for your work day!
- Bon courage avec tous ces devoirs. - Good luck/stay strong with all that homework.
Je touche du bois
This literally means "I'm touching wood" and it's the French equivalent of "knock on wood" in English. "Je touche" means "I touch" and "du bois" means "wood." You say this after mentioning something good or fortunate to avoid jinxing it.
- Je n'ai jamais raté un examen, je touche du bois! - I've never failed an exam, knock on wood!
- Tout va bien pour l'instant, je touche du bois. - Everything's going well for now, knock on wood.
Je croise les doigts
This translates to "I'm crossing my fingers" and works exactly like it does in English. "Je croise" means "I cross" and "les doigts" means "the fingers." You use this when you're hoping for a good outcome or wishing luck for yourself or someone else. It's a casual, everyday expression that shows you're rooting for something to go well.
- Je croise les doigts pour toi! - I'm crossing my fingers for you!
- J'espère avoir ce travail, je croise les doigts. - I hope to get this job, fingers crossed.
Que…
This is a more expressive way to wish someone well by literally saying "May you..." followed by whatever good outcome you're hoping for them. "Que" means "that" or "may," and it's always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This construction feels a bit more formal or heartfelt than a simple "bonne chance," and it lets you be super specific about what you're wishing for someone.
- Que tu réussisses ton examen! - May you pass your exam!
- Que tout se passe bien pour toi! - May everything go well for you!
Bonne continuation
This translates to "good continuation" and it's used when you want to wish someone well as they continue on their journey or path. "Bonne" means "good" and "continuation" means "continuation." You'll often hear this when parting ways with someone or when they're moving on to a new chapter.
- Bonne continuation dans tes études! - All the best continuing with your studies!
- Je quitte l'entreprise la semaine prochaine. Bonne continuation à tous! - I'm leaving the company next week. All the best to everyone going forward!
Bonne route
This literally means "good road" and it's specifically used to wish someone a safe journey when they're traveling. "Bonne" means "good" and "route" means "road" or "route." You say this when someone's about to hit the road, whether they're driving across town or embarking on a long trip.
- Bonne route! Conduis prudemment. - Safe travels! Drive carefully.
- On part en vacances demain. Bonne route à vous aussi! - We're leaving for vacation tomorrow. Safe travels to you too!
Bon rétablissment
This translates to "good recovery" and it's what you say when someone is sick or injured. "Bon" means "good" and "rétablissement" means "recovery" or "restoration to health."
- Tu es malade? Bon rétablissement! - You're sick? Get well soon!
- J'ai appris que tu t'es cassé la jambe. Bon rétablissement! - I heard you broke your leg. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Typical French Beliefs About Luck
While many cultures share common beliefs about luck, France has developed its own unique set of superstitions that range from the charming to the downright bizarre.
| Belief | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Stepping in dog poop with your left foot | Considered good luck because the left side is typically associated with bad luck in French culture—stepping in it with your left foot symbolizes shunning the bad side of you. But step in it with your right foot? That's bad luck. |
| Bread upside down on the table | Placing a baguette upside down is thought to invite poverty and hunger. This dates back to medieval times when bakers would set aside upside-down bread for executioners. |
| Black cats crossing your path | Considered a harbinger of misfortune, especially if it crosses your path from left to right. This belief stems from the Middle Ages when black cats were associated with witches. |
| Eye contact while toasting | You must maintain eye contact when clinking glasses—failing to do so is believed to bring seven years of bad luck in love. This tradition dates back to when poisonings were common, and looking away suggested you might be trying to deceive someone. |
| Friday the 13th | Unlike in many countries where it's considered unlucky, in France, Friday the 13th is actually considered lucky—it's the best day to buy lottery tickets! |
| Spilling salt | Throwing salt over your left shoulder cures bad luck because the French believe the Devil lives over your left shoulder. Salt was also a precious commodity historically, so wasting it was seen as inviting misfortune. |
| 13 people at dinner | Having exactly 13 guests at the dinner table is considered bad luck, a superstition that comes from the Last Supper, where one of the 13 diners—Judas Iscariot—ended up being a traitor. |
Don't Leave Your French to Luck
Now that you know how to wish someone luck in French for any situation, it's time to make sure your own French skills don’t need luck to succeed. The best way to master these phrases and sound natural when using them? Immersion.
And that's exactly what Lingopie offers—real French shows and movies with interactive subtitles that let you learn the language the way native speakers actually use it.
With Lingopie, you'll hear phrases like "bonne chance," "merde," and "bon courage" in real conversations, so you'll know exactly when and how to use them. You can click on any word for instant translations, save vocabulary, and practice at your own pace.
Ready to take your French from "good luck" to genuinely fluent? Start your journey with Lingopie today and stop leaving your language learning to chance.
![Happy New Year In French: 10+ Best French Greetings [Guide]](/blog/content/images/size/w300/2024/12/Happy-New-Year-In-French.jpg)
